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r IT) Wednesday, May 25, 1994 Remembering those loved and lost Friends and family members of HIV and AIDS victims gath- ered Sunday night to remember those who have died from Austin: sexual orientation a focus of case By Jeff Haney Signpost editor in chief Director of academic advisement Phillip O. Austin pleaded innocent to aggravated kidnap ping charges Monday and said he believes the motive behind the allegations is because he is homosexual. "This is not unusual in the gay community solely for the purpose of humiliating and outing gay people," he said in an interview. Phillip O. "He doesn't know me personally," Austin said about the man who claims Austin pointed a gun at a him after he refused sexual advances. "His only motive has to be hatred. I don't know what makes people hate other people, except they are afraid or fearful." Austin said the kidnapping charge by the 20-year-old West ' J Program allows incarcerated to develop job skills By Carolyn Dalton Buck Signpost staff writer Individuals who are incarcerated and serving time at the Utah State Prison are removing asbestos in the Shepherd Union Building as part of a program to provide skills they can use when they are paroled. Bob Anderson works for the Utah Correctional Industry, a division of the Department of Corrections, as Asbestos Supervisor. line Point man is a form of gay bashing. "Gay bashing can come in many forms," he said. "Whether it is beating someone in front of a gay bar or outing them or making allegations like this it can come in a lot of forms," he said. "It is unfortunate people have to live with that type of fear," he said. K a t h r y n Kendell, attorney with the ACLU, said that gay men and lesbians "make easy targets" for allegations like the one against Austin. Austin "It gives an excuse to be more aggressive that serves the end of justice," she said. "That factor (sexual orientation) should have no relevance." Kendell said she has talked to Austin about his case, but the ACLU does not do any criminal defense work. However, she said, See Orientation Page 2 Anderson refers to the men working for him as program participants and explained that in order for someone to become eligible for the training program for the removal of asbestos, along with other programs offered at the prison, he or she must meet specific criteria established by the institution. A potential participant must be a model example of someone who stays out of trouble, has not received write ups, or any major disciplinary reprimands o 1, 4T ' the disease. The vigil was part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Austin pleads not guilty Director of academic advisement Phillip O. Austin pleaded innocent Monday to aggravated kidnapping charges and denies any allegations he threatened a former Weber State University student with a handgun for sexual favors. Austin, 42, originally from Alexandria, Va., entered a plea of innocence to to the first degree felony in 2nd District Court before Judge Stanton Taylor. A trial date will be set at a later time. He is accused by20-year-old Colby Clifford, from West Point in an alleged incident March 12 during which the WSU administrator offered a ride to Clifford and began making sexual advances. Clifford testified Austin flashed what appeared to be a .38-caliber revolver and said he and has received a parole date. Anderson supports the program because, "It offers participants an opportunity to acquire a skill they can market after prison." One of the participants, a third time offender, said the program has been a turning point for him. "Having earned the ability to be a part of the asbestos removal program gives me an opportunity to provide for my family, work back into being a part of society and an asset to the community." STEVE CONLINTH SIGNPOST was taking to his home. He also testified he shoved Austin and jumped from the moving car when they reached about 4800 South in Roy. Clifford said he sustained no injuries except scraped elbows. Law officials say that they had few leads because Clifford could not identify his alleged assailant by name nor could he remember the license plate number of the car. Clifford told police he recognized Austin on campus April 14 when he returned to WSU to retrieve some records. Clifford said he found out Austin's name and called police.Austin negates Clifford's claims. "I have never owned a gun in my life and I do not own one now. I have never kidnapped anyone," he said. Another participant said that sitting in prison, knowing that you are notlearninga tradeora different way of life, is discouraging and contradicts the goal most in-' carcerated people have to stay out of prison. The asbestos removal program resulted in a recidivism rate of less than 20 percent for program participants, Anderson said. Participants pride themselves on the See Asbestos Page 2 Volume 57 Number 84 Quick Takes GSignoff What happened winter quarter? Tlie Signpost offers a special edition to remind you exactly what was going on throughout those chilly, action-filled days. See Special Section News Just what did the Strategic Planning Task Force plan for the university? Get the goods. See Page 3 A & E Weber State Singers put on a benefit for upcoming tour. See Page 9 CSports When will we exercise? The gymnasium gets new(shorter) hours. See Page 14 Weather WEDNESDAY Partly couldy high 82 low 52 THURSDAY Partly cloudy high 80s low 40s IJ fl"

Public Domain. Courtesy of University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University.

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r IT) Wednesday, May 25, 1994 Remembering those loved and lost Friends and family members of HIV and AIDS victims gath- ered Sunday night to remember those who have died from Austin: sexual orientation a focus of case By Jeff Haney Signpost editor in chief Director of academic advisement Phillip O. Austin pleaded innocent to aggravated kidnap ping charges Monday and said he believes the motive behind the allegations is because he is homosexual. "This is not unusual in the gay community solely for the purpose of humiliating and outing gay people," he said in an interview. Phillip O. "He doesn't know me personally," Austin said about the man who claims Austin pointed a gun at a him after he refused sexual advances. "His only motive has to be hatred. I don't know what makes people hate other people, except they are afraid or fearful." Austin said the kidnapping charge by the 20-year-old West ' J Program allows incarcerated to develop job skills By Carolyn Dalton Buck Signpost staff writer Individuals who are incarcerated and serving time at the Utah State Prison are removing asbestos in the Shepherd Union Building as part of a program to provide skills they can use when they are paroled. Bob Anderson works for the Utah Correctional Industry, a division of the Department of Corrections, as Asbestos Supervisor. line Point man is a form of gay bashing. "Gay bashing can come in many forms," he said. "Whether it is beating someone in front of a gay bar or outing them or making allegations like this it can come in a lot of forms," he said. "It is unfortunate people have to live with that type of fear," he said. K a t h r y n Kendell, attorney with the ACLU, said that gay men and lesbians "make easy targets" for allegations like the one against Austin. Austin "It gives an excuse to be more aggressive that serves the end of justice," she said. "That factor (sexual orientation) should have no relevance." Kendell said she has talked to Austin about his case, but the ACLU does not do any criminal defense work. However, she said, See Orientation Page 2 Anderson refers to the men working for him as program participants and explained that in order for someone to become eligible for the training program for the removal of asbestos, along with other programs offered at the prison, he or she must meet specific criteria established by the institution. A potential participant must be a model example of someone who stays out of trouble, has not received write ups, or any major disciplinary reprimands o 1, 4T ' the disease. The vigil was part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Austin pleads not guilty Director of academic advisement Phillip O. Austin pleaded innocent Monday to aggravated kidnapping charges and denies any allegations he threatened a former Weber State University student with a handgun for sexual favors. Austin, 42, originally from Alexandria, Va., entered a plea of innocence to to the first degree felony in 2nd District Court before Judge Stanton Taylor. A trial date will be set at a later time. He is accused by20-year-old Colby Clifford, from West Point in an alleged incident March 12 during which the WSU administrator offered a ride to Clifford and began making sexual advances. Clifford testified Austin flashed what appeared to be a .38-caliber revolver and said he and has received a parole date. Anderson supports the program because, "It offers participants an opportunity to acquire a skill they can market after prison." One of the participants, a third time offender, said the program has been a turning point for him. "Having earned the ability to be a part of the asbestos removal program gives me an opportunity to provide for my family, work back into being a part of society and an asset to the community." STEVE CONLINTH SIGNPOST was taking to his home. He also testified he shoved Austin and jumped from the moving car when they reached about 4800 South in Roy. Clifford said he sustained no injuries except scraped elbows. Law officials say that they had few leads because Clifford could not identify his alleged assailant by name nor could he remember the license plate number of the car. Clifford told police he recognized Austin on campus April 14 when he returned to WSU to retrieve some records. Clifford said he found out Austin's name and called police.Austin negates Clifford's claims. "I have never owned a gun in my life and I do not own one now. I have never kidnapped anyone," he said. Another participant said that sitting in prison, knowing that you are notlearninga tradeora different way of life, is discouraging and contradicts the goal most in-' carcerated people have to stay out of prison. The asbestos removal program resulted in a recidivism rate of less than 20 percent for program participants, Anderson said. Participants pride themselves on the See Asbestos Page 2 Volume 57 Number 84 Quick Takes GSignoff What happened winter quarter? Tlie Signpost offers a special edition to remind you exactly what was going on throughout those chilly, action-filled days. See Special Section News Just what did the Strategic Planning Task Force plan for the university? Get the goods. See Page 3 A & E Weber State Singers put on a benefit for upcoming tour. See Page 9 CSports When will we exercise? The gymnasium gets new(shorter) hours. See Page 14 Weather WEDNESDAY Partly couldy high 82 low 52 THURSDAY Partly cloudy high 80s low 40s IJ fl"